2005 AD Earth years

Asgard

Loki looked down the long oak table in the Great Hall of Asgard. His green eyes flashed with disdain as they fell on his brother Thor deep in conversation with a cluster of lovely women.

Loki tried to avoid occasions like this – another celebration of his brother's triumph, this time over some rowdy band of Snow Dwarves in an obscure corner of the galaxy. He couldn't help sneering at his brother's preening in front of the ladies. Certainly, Thor cut a good figure tonight, his blond hair falling to his shoulders, the blue in his cloak bringing out his eyes. But he was so shallow, all body and brawn.

Loki caught a glimpse of himself in a shield hanging on the wall wondered again how two brothers could look so different. Tall, slim, with wavy dark hair down to his shoulders, and none of the sculpted muscles of his brother… To tell the truth, Loki didn't feel that he looked very Asgardian at all. They were all fair and rosy, while he was pale and dark and green-eyed.

His mother had always told him not to worry. "It's because you're inside, at your studies," she would tell him. "Don't think on it. It doesn't matter what you look like on the outside, it's what you look like on the inside. You are what you do."

He looked back and saw his brother gnawing on a turkey leg, laughing at the witty commentary of his companions – Sif, the warrior princess, pretty airhead Noni, and a beautiful stranger that Loki did not recognize. Loki took a second glance at her. She wore the silver helm of a Valkyrie, but her hair was auburn. All the Valkyries he had ever met were blond-haired and blue-eyed. She was undeniably beautiful, however. Yet as far as he could tell, her eyes were only for Thor.

Loki looked down at the steaming meat and potatoes on his plate and pushed it away. He was suddenly not hungry. He took a quick sip of mead, wondering how soon he could steal away.

Then he heard his name. His mother approached, her gray dress swirling around her. He stood to greet her with a quick peck on the cheek.

"What is the matter?" she asked, looking him over seriously. "You seem upset."

He rolled his eyes. "It's always the same thing, mother. Why did you make me come to this dreadful celebration of my brother's bloody exploits?"

"I have a treat for you," she said. "Stop whining and come meet her."

He stood to follow her, his black cape swirling around him, and followed his mother to the red-headed Valkyrie – Sigyn was her name. She looked up at his mother's greeting and her eyes met his.

Green, like the forest, like the ocean... he could get lost in those eyes.

His mother was saying something about her magic and introducing them, and then he was bowing to her, summoning all his grace to appear natural, like he belonged here.

"It is a pleasure to meet you," she said. "Your magic is renown in the nine realms – and in Valhalla of course. I would love to learn more about how you do it."

"If you have any questions…" he said, moving a little closer. He found her magnetic, particularly in that jade-green dress.

"I do," she said. "Perhaps we could talk – another time?" Her eyes flickered back to Thor, who was following their conversation with languid interest.

Thor chuckled. "Yes, please save your boring theoretical discussion for another time. This is a celebration. I say, Loki, would you call for more mead?"

"Of course," said Loki sulkily. He nodded to Sigyn and slipped away. His mother caught up with him as he spoke to the servers about the mead.

"You need to talk to her. She has an amazing knowledge of light spells. I have never seen anyone, much less a Valkyrie – Loki?"

"I will," he assured her. "Speak to her, that is."

She smiled and squeezed his arm. "Do, I think you'll find her interesting."

I already do, he thought wryly as he slipped away. But she found only Thor interesting. Clearly, he was going to have to do something to get her attention.